Warwick Folk Festival will appeal to more local people this year by offering discounts for them to attend the event in July.

Festival organisers are aiming to attract more local residents this year with a 20 per cent discount on tickets for people living in the CV34 postcode area.

Festival director Dick Dickson said they are also expanding the fringe festival after Warwick Castle raised their stake in the event.

He said: “Warwick Castle has donated £3,500 to the fund and are very excited about the show this year. The money will go towards the stage in the Market Place.

“Many of the town’s pubs are also supporting the festival and will be putting on music nights. This year we are going to start on the Wednesday night with an event in The Old Fourpenny Shop.

“We are promoting the festival to local people this year with a 20 per cent discount at the box office if you can prove your address.

“There will be extra dance workshops and open air music events on the Warwick School campsite and entertainment for the kids. It will cost people just £5 to get onto the site between 10am and 6pm.”

The festival will run from July 23-26 with veteran folk singer Billy Bragg as the headline act on the Thursday in the main marquee at Warwick School. Organisers are

The following pubs will put on music events: The Rose & Crown, Zetland Arms, The Tilted Wig, The New Bowling Green, The Antelope Inn, The Wild Boar, The Old Fourpenny Shop, the Conservative Club, the Fleece Inn, the Thomas Lloyd, Merchants and Catalan.

Mr Dickson added: “We have some new sponsors this year. A lot of local companies support the festival and we appreciate their help. We also benefit from the many volunteers who help out.”

We are promoting the festival to local people this year with a 20 per cent discount at the box office

Dick Dickson

Other bands which will feature at the festival include: Lil’ Jimmy Reed Band, The Demon Barbers XL, Nancy Kerr and the Sweet Visitor Band, A Moving Sound and The Wilsons.